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Coronavirus: 12 more cases confirmed in UK, taking total in Britain to 35 – latest updates Coronavirus: Italy death toll rises to 34 as Dominican Republic reports first case – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
USA, Australia and Thailand also report first deaths from coronavirus as bans are put in place around the world on large gatherings. Follow live news US, Australia and Thailand also report first deaths from coronavirus while bans are put in place around the world on large gatherings. Follow live news
The number of confirmed cases in Italy has risen to almost 1,700, and the death toll has increased from five to 34, Reuters reports. The Dominican Republic has confirmed its first case of coronavirus – a tourist visiting the country from Italy.
The patient is a 62-year-old man, who is in a stable condition. He has been taken to an isolation room in a military hospital near the capital, the country’s health minister, Rafael Sanchez, said at a press conference.
Another tourist, a 56-year-old man from France, is under observation at hospital and awaiting test results for coronavirus.
On Friday, the Dominican Republic cancelled all flights from Milan for 30 days. The government also said that all travellers retuning from Italy would have to undergo epidemiological reviews at airports.
Non-essential British embassy staff in Tehran are being withdrawn with immediate effect due to the virus, Sky news are reporting.
Speaking at a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale, north London, Boris Johnson praised the work of Public Health England.
He said there were likely to be more cases of coronavirus but said: “we’ve got a great plan to tackle the spread of coronavirus and I’m confident that in the NHS we’ve got professionals who are able to cope with it.”
He also gave tips for stopping the spread of coronavirus:
The Prime Minister will be chairing another COBRA meeting on coronavirus tomorrow. “We will be setting out the various measures in the way public should be responding, and public bodies should be responding.”
He wouldn’t be drawn on the details of what these measures might look like. “I don’t want to go now into the kind of things that might be necessary,” he said. “There’ll be questions we might need to consider about very big public events.”
Boris Johnson also said the government may need to consider closing schools, but expressed that he wanted them to remain open and did not want children to be sent home “unnecessarily”.
“Coronavirus is of concern, but we amply have the resources to deal with it. Believe me, we are going to beat this,” he said.
The number of confirmed cases in Italy has risen to almost 1,700, and the death toll has increased by five to 34, Reuters reports.
There were 1,128 cases and 29 death as of last night.
This is the largest jump the spread of the virus in one day, Sky News says.
Good evening, I’m Molly Blackall, taking over the live coverage of coronavirus for the next few hours.Good evening, I’m Molly Blackall, taking over the live coverage of coronavirus for the next few hours.
If you spot something I miss, do drop me a tweet: @mollyblackall.If you spot something I miss, do drop me a tweet: @mollyblackall.
Boris Johnson has been on a visit to laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale, north London.Boris Johnson has been on a visit to laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale, north London.
Iraq has reported six new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of cases there to 19, Reuters reports citing the health ministry.Iraq has reported six new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of cases there to 19, Reuters reports citing the health ministry.
The WHO’s director of pandemic diseases, Sylvie Briand, is endorsing the elbow bump and footshakes as safer alternatives to shaking hands.The WHO’s director of pandemic diseases, Sylvie Briand, is endorsing the elbow bump and footshakes as safer alternatives to shaking hands.
A patient who has tested positive for coronavirus in Rotterdam, had been staying for a week at another hospital in the Netherlands, the news site Nu.nl reports.A patient who has tested positive for coronavirus in Rotterdam, had been staying for a week at another hospital in the Netherlands, the news site Nu.nl reports.
The patient had stayed at the Beatrix hospital in nearby Gorchem, for a week without being tested, the site said. The hospital did not respond to comment but said it is closed to visitors and new patients.The patient had stayed at the Beatrix hospital in nearby Gorchem, for a week without being tested, the site said. The hospital did not respond to comment but said it is closed to visitors and new patients.
The reason the Louvre in Paris was forced to close on Sunday (see earlier) was that staff refused to work due to coronavirus fears, AFP reports.The reason the Louvre in Paris was forced to close on Sunday (see earlier) was that staff refused to work due to coronavirus fears, AFP reports.
Around 300 staff met in the morning and voted “almost unanimously” not to open, Christian Galani of the CGT labour union told AFP, leaving many would-be visitors disappointed..Around 300 staff met in the morning and voted “almost unanimously” not to open, Christian Galani of the CGT labour union told AFP, leaving many would-be visitors disappointed..
Louvre management later confirmed the museum was closed for the entire day, and said it would refund ticket-holders.Louvre management later confirmed the museum was closed for the entire day, and said it would refund ticket-holders.
“We apologise for any inconvenience and will keep you informed as the situation develops,” the museum said on its website.“We apologise for any inconvenience and will keep you informed as the situation develops,” the museum said on its website.
On Saturday, the government announced several measures to try and curb the outbreak in France, including cancelling all gatherings of more than 5,000 people in confined spaces.On Saturday, the government announced several measures to try and curb the outbreak in France, including cancelling all gatherings of more than 5,000 people in confined spaces.
“The Louvre is a confined space which welcomes more than 5,000 people a day,” said Galani, adding: “there is real concern on the part of staff.”“The Louvre is a confined space which welcomes more than 5,000 people a day,” said Galani, adding: “there is real concern on the part of staff.”
One of the people who has tested positive for the virus was a resident of Bradford who had travelled to Italy while two others are from Leeds and had travelled to Iran.One of the people who has tested positive for the virus was a resident of Bradford who had travelled to Italy while two others are from Leeds and had travelled to Iran.
Dr Simon Padfield, consultant in communicable disease control for Public Health England Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with three cases of Covid-19 confirmed in West Yorkshire.Dr Simon Padfield, consultant in communicable disease control for Public Health England Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with three cases of Covid-19 confirmed in West Yorkshire.
“One of the cases is a resident of Bradford who became infected whilst in Italy and the other two cases are residents of Leeds who both became infected whilst in Iran.”“One of the cases is a resident of Bradford who became infected whilst in Italy and the other two cases are residents of Leeds who both became infected whilst in Iran.”
And after a case of Covid-19 was confirmed in Essex, Public Health England (PHE) East said “close contacts” of the patient were being given health advice about symptoms.And after a case of Covid-19 was confirmed in Essex, Public Health England (PHE) East said “close contacts” of the patient were being given health advice about symptoms.
Dr David Edwards, consultant in health protection, said: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 who is an Essex resident.Dr David Edwards, consultant in health protection, said: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 who is an Essex resident.
The Czech Republic has confirmed its first three cases of coronavirus, Health Minister Adam Vojtech said on Sunday.The Czech Republic has confirmed its first three cases of coronavirus, Health Minister Adam Vojtech said on Sunday.
Health officials said at a news conference the three patients showed mild symptoms and had travelled from places in northern Italy.Health officials said at a news conference the three patients showed mild symptoms and had travelled from places in northern Italy.
China has confirmed two new cases on Covid-19 from people who had travelled to Iran.China has confirmed two new cases on Covid-19 from people who had travelled to Iran.
Preventing a Covid-19 epidemic in the UK is looking increasingly unlikely, according to Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, University of East Anglia.Preventing a Covid-19 epidemic in the UK is looking increasingly unlikely, according to Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, University of East Anglia.
Today’s sharp increase in confirmed cases in the UK shows the country is entering the “next stage of the epidemic” he said.Today’s sharp increase in confirmed cases in the UK shows the country is entering the “next stage of the epidemic” he said.
In remarks distributed by the Science Media Centre, Prof Hunter added:In remarks distributed by the Science Media Centre, Prof Hunter added:
Swansea council says its schools will open as normal on Monday despite a confirmd case of covid-10 case in the city - the first in Wales.Swansea council says its schools will open as normal on Monday despite a confirmd case of covid-10 case in the city - the first in Wales.
In a statement it the risk of catching the virus remains low and “no extra measures” need to be taken beyond those set out by Public Health Wales.In a statement it the risk of catching the virus remains low and “no extra measures” need to be taken beyond those set out by Public Health Wales.